Building community awareness of national Week of the Young Child

Early Years are Learning Years. This was the national theme for this year's Week of the Young Child, April 14 through 20. Fairfield County is a great community for families with young children. We have a variety of programs and resources to support children's learning and development. By working together to build a strong foundation in the early years, we all benefit in the long term. Good citizens are nurtured from the beginning.

Fairfield Association for the Education of Young Children worked with many community partners to kick off the local celebration of the Week of the Young Child with a "Family Fun Fair" at the Rising Shelter House in Rising Park on April 13. Weathering cold temperatures and windy conditions, more than 300 children, family members and volunteers gathered to enjoy time together having fun and discovering what's available in our community for young children. Community partners that come together to provide free activities and information for families is evidence of a community that cares about its future. Whether supporting safety, or fitness, or literacy, or just plain fun time together, the following community partners supported the message that "Early Years are Learning Years:" Balloon Guy, Cane's Chicken, CareSource, Early Childhood Mental Health Task Force , Fairfield Christian Academy, Fairfield County District Library, Fairfield County Education Service Center, Fairfield County Sheriff Dept./Community Watch Program, Fairfield Medical Center/Fit Together, First Impressions Early Learning Center, Girl Scouts of America in the Heartland, Hocking Valley Youth Sports, JC & Co., Kim's Kidz Childcare and Fairfield Family Friendships, Kohl's, Lancaster City Preschool, Lancaster City Schools, LFCAA Early Childhood Programs, Lancaster Fire Department, Lancaster Parks and Recreation, Max 'n Erma's, Molina Healthcare of Ohio, Mr. and Mrs. Mackie, Robert K. Fox Family Y, Small Wonders Learning Center, S Ohio Sight Center and Taylor Dealership.